Good Morning!
So, what do we think about yesterday’s message? Can we get comfortable with “sinner” as our true identity?
I can. Some days more so than others. Today, for example. I started the day off doing things my way and in my timing, and I hurt someone in the process. I simply did not stop to seek God first, and I unnecessarily hurt someone.
What the heck?
How do we forget basic lessons like this one:
Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Yet I do forget. I guess I was simply super-duper ready for a heaping-helping of humble pie. Can’t say I like it much. In fact, it hurts. A lot. Yet, I won’t let it discourage me. Oh, I will learn from it, certainly, but I won’t allow it to discourage me. After all, just a couple of lines down the same page of my bible, I find this:
v. 11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
God must want us to know this because it is quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6. In fact, that whole section is worth time now:
Hebrews 12:3-17 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we have respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Ok. Learn from my mistake. Make amends. Relish in the thought that God loves me. In fact, he’s plumb crazy about me. Did you know what he sings about me? Loudly, too! As he does for you.
My friend Mark called me this morning and asked how I come up with these posts. I gave him my standard reply. So, Mark, sometimes I need to finish my humble pie before I can begin. God is good.
Father, whew. What else do you have in store for me today? How about if I simply tell other people about Jesus? I hope I’ve had enough discipline for the day. If not, let’s get it done. Amen.
Copyright © 2017 Scott Powers